Russian invasion

Negotiations
Russia and US to meet in Turkey

Russian and US envoys are to meet in Istanbul tomorrow to discuss how they can rebuild their respective diplomatic missions in Washington and Moscow. Reuters writes, citing a statement from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Russia has not had an ambassador to the United States since Anatoly Antonov left in October. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the talks in Istanbul are part of negotiations to reach an end to the war in Ukraine.

Analysis: Trump is building a club with a branch in Moscow

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced yesterday that the country will increase its defense budget. This was important ahead of the meeting with Donald Trump tomorrow, writes Sky News political commentator Beth Rigby.

The US has previously demanded that European NATO members contribute more money to the common budget. That's why Starmer's statement was important - it gives him something to negotiate with, she writes.

"But he (Starmer ed.anm) knows that Ukraine's security still depends on US support, which is why it is necessary to get promises from Trump," Rigby writes.

But the meeting will once again test the transatlantic link, writes the New York Times' Peter Baker in an analysis. Starmer wants to show how important it is that the two parties stand together.

"But European leaders do not have high hopes for success," he writes, referring to the UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine that the US vetoed.

"Trump is building a new club. With branches in Moscow, Minsk and Pyongyang instead of London, Paris and Berlin."

The entire agreement: The invasion is mentioned but not guarantees and debts for support

“Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine” is mentioned in the preliminary framework of a mineral agreement between Ukraine and the United States, which Reuters has published in its entirety.

Earlier this week, the United States submitted resolutions to the United Nations that did not mention Russia’s responsibility for the war.

President Donald Trump has also said that Ukraine should pay “500 billion dollars” in compensation for the aid that the United States has given Ukraine since the Russian invasion three years ago.

“The main thing for me is that we are not in debt. There is no debt of 500 billion dollars, nor 350 or 100 because that would be unfair,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj said, according to Reuters.

Contrary to what Zelenskyy suggested just a few hours earlier, there are also no American security guarantees in the document.

– This agreement could become part of future security guarantees, says Zelensky.

Ukraine: Framework for mineral agreements exists – guarantees needed

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that the framework for an economic agreement on a mineral agreement with the United States is ready, but that security guarantees have not yet been determined. This is reported by the AP.

Earlier today, Reuters reported that the mineral agreement was directly linked to security guarantees. However, at a press conference in the afternoon, Zelensky announced that they had not been determined. At the same time, the Ukrainian Prime Minister said that the government will approve the signing of a mineral agreement today.

Yesterday, sources told the Financial Times that the two parties had agreed on a mineral agreement. According to the agreement, Ukraine is to establish a fund where half of the profits from state mineral resources, including oil and gas, will be invested. The fund will in turn invest in projects in Ukraine. It is unclear how much ownership the United States will have in the fund.

A Ukrainian minister tells the BBC that the mineral deal plan was originally Ukraine's idea and part of their victory plan.

The world's response
"Europe must take charge of its future"

A wide range of topics are covered on today's major editorial pages. DN's editorial page writes that no smiles in the world can smooth over the division between US President Donald Trump and Europe.

Europe and the US are in the midst of an "epochal divorce". It is time for Europe to take charge of its own future, the editorial page writes. "And it must be done in an incredibly short time."

Expressen's editorial page writes about the new rape verdict against the "Ghost Man" and believes that it is shameful that the government has not fulfilled its election promise of custodial sentences for particularly dangerous criminals.

The case clearly shows the need for security sentences - to protect society and prevent even more people from falling victim to them, the page writes.

Aftonbladet's Jonna Sima writes about how Tesla sales have fallen sharply since Elon Musk became Trump's right-hand man.

“The Tesla luxury car has dramatically transformed from a prestige car into a political burden.”

NATO's future
Frederiksen: Russia ready to attack more countries

“We are not in a cold war, but a hot war.” This is what Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says, saying that Russia will not be content with Ukraine – but is already “getting ready to attack other places.”

“They have switched to a war economy and the imperialist dreams are still alive in Russia,” she tells TT.

However, she emphasizes that Denmark does not have any concrete intelligence that points to any particular country, but that what we are currently in “is a conceivable scenario.” According to Frederiksen, Europe's ability to quickly re-arm is crucial to what will happen, and that is why she believes it is urgent.

Global challenges
Professor on climate work: “Delays and delays”

The war between Russia and Ukraine has unexpectedly united Europe around climate work, says Karin Bäckstrand, professor of social science environmental research, in an interview with SvD Näringsliv. Energy prices have risen, political skepticism has increased, but politicians have stuck to the green goals.

At the same time, Europe today finds itself in a position where the climate vision has become increasingly uncertain. According to Bäckstrand, politicians will stick to the goals for 2050, even though they will be difficult to achieve.

– People are delaying, delaying and lowering the level of ambition, she tells SvD Näringsliv.